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Mark 13:26-27

²⁶"And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

God came in a cloud to meet with Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16). God came in a cloud upon the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). Jesus will come in a cloud with power and glory to gather the remaining believers from the ends of the earth. I understand this to be after the Rapture. The elect are the Messianic Jews that are witnessing throughout the earth and those who turned to Christ during the tribulation.

John the Beloved tells us that every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7). Whether that is from televised news or in supernatural ways, we cannot say. We do know it will not be a joyful time for the earth. In a parallel passage Jesus says that all the tribes of the earth will mourn (Matthew 24:30). They will realize there is justice and that all will be held accountable for their actions. Lies must cease, as truth will be plain for all to see.

Jesus will reign, sitting on His glorious throne (Matthew 25:31). I believe that throne is the Ark of the Covenant. Mankind will have a thousand years to experience how the earth should have been governed. There will still be free will, and many will choose at the end of that period of time to rebel against Jesus. It's hard to fathom how anyone could be so hard-hearted, but then we only have to look at history to see it is inevitable. The final judgment will then take place.

Consider: Every one of us today is on one side or the other. Even the sight of the glorified Christ and the experience of His reign will not soften the hearts of many.